Union to challenge Norwich recreation director's firing

Norwich — The city union that represents fired Recreation Director C. Roger Moss will file a grievance to challenge the city's action Tuesday to terminate his employment.

Danielle McMullen, staff representative for the Municipal Employees Union Independent Local 560, which represents department and division heads in the city, said she will file a grievance according to the collective bargaining agreement. The grievance will be filed with City Manager Alan Bergren, and a closed-door grievance hearing should be scheduled within 10 working days, McMullen said.

City Manager Alan Bergren referred a request by The Day for documents related to Tuesday's firing of Moss to the city's labor attorney and declined to release the documents.

The Day submitted a Freedom of Information request Oct. 3 for the completed investigation report when it became available after Moss was first placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 1.

Bergren sent an email to Mayor Peter Nystrom and the six City Council members Tuesday announcing that Moss had been terminated and asking aldermen not to discuss the situation with the press. Bergren's email asked council members wanting "a hard copy" of the termination letter to contact him.

Bergren acknowledged late Tuesday that Moss had been fired for several reasons that were not criminal in nature, but he declined to discuss specifics.

Bergren would not release the termination letter or the investigation report Wednesday, and The Day renewed the FOI request for the documents.